APPLICATION FEE
No application fee.
Private University
Briar Cliff University
Briar Cliff University offers a private nonprofit liberal arts education in Sioux City, Iowa, fostering character development within a caring Catholic and Franciscan community.
Sioux City, IAcity, small
$23,292AVG NET PRICE
49%GRAD RATE
940STUDENTS
University data profileIPEDS 2023
THE SIGNATURE
Briar Cliff University Report Card
Explore university facts, programs, and campus life at a glance.
Briar Cliff University is a four-year private institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. As a Roman Catholic university with Franciscan roots, it emphasizes dignity, community, and the shaping of character alongside academic achievement. The campus maintains an intimate learning environment highlighted by a low student-to-faculty ratio and a strong tradition spanning over ninety years.
The university provides fifty-one undergraduate majors designed to prepare ethical world changers through small classes and authentic experiences. Students can pursue degrees in four years or less after completing a value-centered general education curriculum. Beyond academics, the institution offers professional programs, certification courses, and workshops to help advance careers while maintaining a focus on lifelong learning.
AT A GLANCE
TypePrivateFour or more years
Settingcity, small
Calendarsemester
Religious affiliationRoman Catholic
GETTING IN
Admissions
Prospective students are encouraged to apply online or inquire for more information about admission requirements. The university generally requires a high school diploma or GED with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and an ACT composite score of at least 18 or an SAT composite score of at least 960.
WHAT IT COSTS
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker price tells you little — net price after aid is what most families actually pay.
Source: IPEDS 2023
IN-STATE TUITION & FEES
$34,727/yr
Out-of-state: $34,727/yr.
Net price by income band
$19,435$0–$30,000
$17,357$30,001–$48,000
$23,260$48,001–$75,000
$23,338$75,001–$110,000
$25,265$110,001+
AVERAGE NET PRICE AFTER AID
$23,292/yr
▲ 7% since 2020-2182% receive grants or scholarships
Average grant or scholarship aid $26,079.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Academics
The undergraduate curriculum is built on small classes, caring faculty, and authentic experiences that shape more than just a résumé. The university offers fifty-one undergraduate majors across various disciplines to support diverse career goals. Graduate programs are designed to be flexible and affordable for those seeking to advance their professional lives.
Source: IPEDS 2023
Student–faculty ratio
12:1
6-year graduation rate
49%
▲ 5 pts since 2016
First-year retention
60%
Median across 34 institutions in our national dataset: 89%.
Bachelor-level fields offered
51
Bachelor-level fields reported as offered in IPEDS
MOST POPULAR FIELDS OF STUDY
Share of bachelor's degree completions, not of all enrolled students.
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.18.4%
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology.14.7%
Social Work.11%
Business Administration and Management, General.11%
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.7.3%
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.4.6%
CAMPUS LIFE
Campus & Housing
Reported capacity of institution-controlled housing and campus setting. Capacity does not indicate how many students currently live in university housing.
University-controlled housing capacity
383
Includes institution-controlled housing; it may extend beyond campus.
Setting
city, small
AFTER GRADUATION
Student outcomes
Earnings and employment of former students after entering the university.
Source: College Scorecard 2025
Median earnings · 10 yrs after entry
$54,475
Median earnings of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.
Working after 10 yrs
91.4%
Share of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.
Earning more than a high-school graduate
81.9%
81.9% of former students earn above the Scorecard high-school earnings threshold, ten years after entry.
Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics, and College Scorecard. University Apartments is not affiliated with Briar Cliff University.